[lucian1900]

Japan may be on the other side of the scale, I also find their plugs look flimsy (as an European).

But the UK plug is just an artefact of the dangerous series circuits in many houses built during copper shortages. Such circuits are dangerous anyway, the remaining such houses should be fixed instead.

[excuse-me]

There's nothing about ring mains that makes them any more dangerous.

The UK pugs probably are needlessly safe - but so are aircraft and cars these days. I can't see a big campaign to remove earth pins, shuttered sockets, fuses and switches to increase the number of accidents getting much public traction!

[lucian1900]

But one could see a campaign to have the same plugs as the rest of Europe, perhaps.

They aren't any less safe (especially Schuko ones) to use. The problems are inertia and national pride.

[excuse-me]

Indeed - the same problems have stalled our attempts to make the rest of europe drive on the correct side of the road.

[lucian1900]

Exactly, because it's Europe (the majority) that has obviously made the wrong choice on both matters :)